Seven companies relocating to the Trust’s new Oxford Centre for Innovation at Blue Boar Court

Seven science and tech start-ups and SMEs are to move from The Oxford Trust’s current Oxford Centre for Innovation to its new location at Blue Boar Court, Alfred Street, in Oxford’s city centre.

Following the freehold sale and 12-month leaseback of its current centre at Macclesfield House in May 2024, The Oxford Trust has secured a 10-year lease for Blue Boar Court to house its Oxford Centre for Innovation to continue to support the growth and development of science and technology start-ups.

Originally the gymnasium for the University of Oxford, the newly-refurbished centre will provide 13,000 sq ft (1,210 sq m) of modern, well-designed private offices, meeting rooms and co-working space over four floors. This is the fourth location for the Oxford Centre for Innovation in The Oxford Trust’s 40-year history.

The seven companies are due to relocate in March 2025 and will take a combined circa 95% of lettable space.

The companies to relocate are Oxford Drug Design, which focuses on novel disease targets; Optellum, specialising in solutions for detecting, tracking and assessing risk for lung disease; quantum technology company Q-Control; Aether, experts in air quality control. In addition, start-up service providers such as Visual Meaning, a specialist consultancy; Mathys & Squire, and intellectual IP law firm; and Oxford Innovation Space which manages innovation centres and provides expert business support and finance for innovation businesses.

There will also be co-working and meeting spaces and a virtual office package for smaller start-ups.

Steve Burgess, chief executive officer, The Oxford Trust said: “Relocating the Oxford Centre for Innovation to Blue Boar Court provides start-ups with smart new sustainable space and resources they need to scale. It also strengthens Oxford’s reputation as a leading hub for science and tech innovation.

“We are delighted that seven companies will be relocating, an endorsement of the boutique community and service we provide and the environment to enable them to thrive.

“Close to the University of Oxford’s key academic and research institutions, our new Oxford Centre for Innovation will enable collaboration between start-ups and leading researchers and investors.

“We are proud to play a role in continuing to develop the thriving innovation ecosystem in Oxford and excited to welcome this dynamic and pioneering group of companies to our new Centre.”

The Oxford Centre for Innovation will continue to be managed by Oxford Innovation Space, which will ensure expert business and support continuity.

The new home for the Oxford Centre for Innovation has reaffirmed the Trust’s ongoing investment in the region’s science and technology sector.

Paul Finn, Chief Scientific Officer, Oxford Drug Design added: “We are excited to be moving to The Oxford Trust’s new Oxford Centre for Innovation at Blue Boar Court. We are grateful for the Trust’s ongoing support for science and tech companies. The exceptional quality of the offices, facilities, and business support on offer at the new premises, will enable us to focus on our research, while growing for the future. The team has always been a pleasure to work with and we are pleased that this can continue at Blue Boar Court.”

Companies will move into the centre in March and there will be an official opening of the centre in May.